Lineage II Gracia Update wins FilePlanets Expansion of the Year award!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009 15:10
The Lineage II: Gracia Update has just been voted Patch/Expansion of the Year on FilePlanet, beating out an impressive array of product updates. For more information on who won, check out the article here
At IGN.com I stumbled on a nice summary of what the world of Aion is all about. It was actually so well written I decided to publish it on l2-apoc.com as well. I consider it a must read for people interested in Aion! All credits go to the IGN.com crew
The creation of Atreia remains a mystery even to its earliest inhabitants. The existence of Aion, the powerful entity who created it, exists as the only immutable fact surrounding the celestial event. An ageless deity with authority over the cosmos, Aion took the shape of a colossal tower as it presided over the formation of Atreia, and its earliest species, called the Draken. As a master watchmaker would construct an elegant timepiece, Aion molded and shaped every mountain, valley and continent on the planet.
In its nativity, the world of Atreia stood as the pinnacle of creation. Beautiful and pure, life flourished within the interior of the planet where Aion had positioned itself as a wondrous structure known as The Tower of Eternity. The tower pierced the sky and connected one side of the world to the other. A monument to the greatness of Aion, The Tower of Eternity eclipsed everything on Atreia.
Altgard Trailer - Watch or download the video here (HD available).
This is a video of some fans (?) singing Aion main theme. Notice, that there are actually no instruments used whatsoever! Everything is done with human voices and it feels like there is a real band behind all this! So here it is: Aion a-capella =) my longtime favourite Aion video.
Do you like violence? Do you like blood? Does it make your adrenaline level go high if you can smash someones face? If the answer to all these questions was "yes" the following might just be a little extra something for you!
This new game is basically just like L2 or wow or any other MMORPG, it is even made by NCSoft (yeah, thats why they might be slow with Aion ;)), but there is one little exception. I can't really put this into words, I mean sure - there is plenty of battle, blood and violence even in the current MMORPGs, but this is just way beyond that. The best would be for you to watch this little trailer about the game.
Basically, there are two races. One is like humans, but with magic and cool swords and the other is like L2 tyrants - they love smashing stuff with their bare hands. In addition there is a beautiful world (I think they r using Aion engines here) and LOADS of movability. I am guessing (yes, again guessing, as there is hardly anything known about this game, it is simply so new project), that you would mainly be using arrow keys (or joystick? perhaps not a PC game) to move around to do all those amazing air acrobatics and battle moves. Anyways, while Aion still isn't here, gl watching!
Class name: Assasin (sin) Class type: Dagger Armor: Leather Weapons: Duals (dual daggers, dual swords, dual sword+dagger)
PVP: The main sin ability in pvp is the surprise attack while using stealth (invisibility), you can even use it while flying. Just like in L2 sins do more damage from behind (close combat), but they are one of the strongest classes in Aion. They are not that good in PVP parties as for solo ganking, but assassins have been acknowledeged as one of the best Aion PVP classes. PVE: Assassins are moderate in PVE. Not bad, not overly good. There has been some speculation about assassins being better depending of their faction (elyos sin vs asmodian sin), so far I haven't found which one exactly is better, but I think asmodians. Anyways, good run speed and evasion will always be the strenghts of an assassin PVE.
HP/MP: Assassin has to use a lot of skills and so MP pots come in handy. However, their MP usage is not even close to the one of mages. They sometimes have to sit for HP, tho.
Problems: This is definitely going to be a very popular class after Aion launches. Many even fear overpopulation. It is a little overpowered at the moment, but if in later updates the class was to become weaker all servers would be left with hundreds of rerollers. All sin skills are available at http://www.areyouhellbound.com/forum/f13/assassin-skills-231/
Video: This is an official retail event of Assassin Tournament. It shows how a top geared, high level assassins (both factions) look like and how they PVP. It also shows how your char looks depending of his/her size (tallness).
As you might have noticed l2-apoc.com is working on an Aion extension leading to some inevitable changes to the website and occasionally some downtime. We hope to launch the renewed frontpage in the next couple of weeks.
Introduction
Aion will be the most visually beautiful MMORPG up to now. In this ethereal world, you will have the power to direct dynamic relationships between angels, demons and dragons to control the fate of the world. You will evolve Aion's storylines through social, economic and cultural experiences that are both interactive and cinematic.
This game will transform the way you experience new content. The actions of every player on each individual server will push storylines toward new directions. As these actions accumulate, they will eventually trigger which will then further change the game?s economies and alliances. Players will create their own distinct history and will have their names forever recorded in fame or infamy.
Aion is a game that knows no cultural boundaries, and will provide an art style, story and game mechanics that will last through the ages and be appreciated by a global audience
The "Minimum System Requirements" for Aion are announced on aion.gamemeca.com. Does your computer satisfy the minimum system requirements for Aion?
System Requirement
CPU : Pentium 4 2.0GHz RAM :1GB VGA :GeForec FX 5600(128MB), DirectX 9 or higher OS :Windows XP
Class name: Chanter Class type: Buffer Armor: Chain Weapon: Mace+Shield, Staff
PVP: Chanter is quite decent in PVP, but the damage output isn’t the greatest. DPS midlevel is about half compared to mages/daggers and same as templars. That’s why some chanters prefer to act as secondary healers during PVP (extra robe set helps here). Classes who mean certain doom are sorcerers, but chanters can beat assassins or rangers for example.If a chanter is looking for PVP, they often have trouble getting close enough to hit (some classes run away), on the other hand if an opponent does decides to fight back, the opponent might find themselves against a formidable opponent, who takes a lot of dmg before dieing.
PVE: Chanter can solo and, obviously, party as well. In a party chanter can keep up only 2 buffs, so sometimes a party even takes 2 chanters along (= 4 buffs). That is also why in Aion you need either mage or melee based parties. However, best party setup would still be 1 cleric and 1 chanter. That makes it just like 1 bish + 1 EE&PPmix in L2. While soloing chanters die very rarely, but, again, their damage output doesn’t make the leveling very fast.
HP/MP: MP really isn’t a problem, as buffs hardly take any and PVE requires mainly melee damage from this class. HP isn’t a problem either, due to this classes good healing abilities. At level 20 a chanter can heal for 500HP while cleric heals for 1000 for example.
Skills: Chanters do not use magic skills while PVEing (only mob pull spell). Neither are they simply buffbots, who are needed only every 20minutes. Aion chanter is a whole different world than L2 PP/WC. Another note is, that in Aion buffs aren’t really strong at all (buffless party is still a pretty good party). All chanter skills are available at http://www.areyouhellbound.com/forum/f14/chanter-skills-165/ Special note: It seems NC Soft is deliberately making all hybrid classes (summoner, buffer, archer, gladiator) a lot weaker than others (sorc, dagger, templar, cleric) in Aion. Until further changes haven’t been announced, please understand, that a hybrid class simply IS weaker than a non-hybrid. If you still like these classes – go for it, just a little reminder. =)
Video: Went through hell lot of trouble to find a good chanter video and this time it’s Elyos race too! The PVP part of it is a bit disappointing, but at least it has a tiny bit of it. Credits: ~Estemy~, Youtube (Persephone), Aionsource forums
Class name: Ranger Class type: Archer Armor: Leather Weapons: Bow, Dagger, Sword, Duals
PVP: To do the majority of bow skills a ranger has to be in close enough range. Ranger becomes good in PVP (especially mass PVP) only at higher levels. It is a certain kill for assassins, templars and clerics represent a hard battle, as well. However, it isn’t hard to beat a sorcerer. Their highest dmg skill does random dmg sometimes it’ll do its regular, 500 dmg or so, then sometimes it will do 1200. There is no stat to increase that like crit rate its just complete random. Ranger is the fighter class with the lowest DPS in Aion.
PVE: Rangers are slower than other classes at PVE. They are quite hard to level. They tend to solo a lot, since they aren’t that much wanted in parties (low dmg output). Their main ability is kiting, but the range isn’t as high as in L2. The reason why archers are so bad at PVE is that they used to be too overpowered in PVP and had to be nerfed by a lot. Now they are bad at PVE and decent in PVP. Their bows are 2 handed and gear is more expensive than for other classes. However, such a huge cap with archer gear as in L2 doesn’t excist. Arrows are cheap (only 1 kind available and you can carry plenty at a time), soulshots are decently priced, but bows are expensive (you can craft your own too, if you’re lucky).
HP/MP: Problems with MP/HP haven’t been recorded. Shooting arrows doesn’t cost mana. However, Aion is a skill game and using skills a lot would make a ranger sit every 5min.
Skills: Rangers can polymorph into a Lycan Knight, bush, bird, wolf, corn monster or a stone. They can still Stun (2-3 sec) and snipe, but these skills seem to work a bit different than in Lineage 2. Rangers have tons of different weapon masteries. There are a lot of different arrow skills and traps to set. Ranger, like assissins, gets Stealth at early lever (invisibility). All ranger skills are available at http://www.areyouhellbound.com/forum/f17/ranger-skills-151/
Video: This is a short demo of an Asmodian ranger. Not the best video around, but I hope you'll all enjoy it. Just refresh if it says video no longer available, they all work!!!
Sources: Aionsource forums and my own personal compilation.
Class name: Sorcerer Class type: Nuker Armor: Robes
Weapon: Staff, Orb, Spellbook
PVP: Sorcerer beats almost all classes in 1v1. Except for rangers, who kill sorcerers with ease. Sometimes a good cleric will beat sorcerer as well. Sorc is really good in small group pvp because it has CC's and lots of burst dps. Only big downside is the very low HP. PvP, is very dynamic and fast paced. The Aion Mage is similar to the wow mage in abilities, except not as many instant casts. Also your survivability is only based on how fast you can dps and cc at the same time. If you get hit for 5-10 seconds consistently then you are most likely dead. This class takes a lot of jumping around and knowing every little trick you have to survive!
PVE: There are slight MP issues, but as long as you spam your mental recovery spell (1 min cooldown) as soon as it comes up, not much. One can usually grind for 15-20 min without needing to rest. Sorcerers true definition is a glass cannon, you always have to be on your toes if you hope to survive. Groups wont be hard to find, clerics atm are the most needed for grouping, however, sorc is the only class with really good CC.Typically you either solo or you group, and group isn't usually just 2 people. The grouping for Abyss grinding would require 3-4+ if you want to be safe and get it done efficiently. You can completely solo or whatever you want to do to the final level, but grouping provides better drops in the Abyss.
HP/MP: At lvl 33 with a bonus of +500 hp from gear one can have 1900 hp and with +1500 mp from gear one has 5500 mp. A platewearer at that level has 4-5k hp and 2k-3k mp, chain is 3-4k hp and 3-4k mp, leather is 2.5-3.5k hp and 2-3k mp.
Skills: There are no points, no builds, no sides to choose. The only extra choices you get are with Stigma. Hellfire (lvl 31) is a Sorcerers "strongest" spell, but has a long CD. It had a lot of talk because it WAS a win button. It's been nerfed since then. Other wortwhile skills a sorcerer has are (mass)sleep, root, teleport 15meters and turn enemy into a tree. Normal damange spells are either water, air, earth or fire based. Aoe spells are available, but I've heard they aren't particularly useful. All sorcerer skills are available at http://www.areyouhellbound.com/forum/f18/sorcerer-skills-227/
Video: This video shows an Asmodian female sorcerer and although I, personally, prefer Elyos I posted this video because it shows all aspects of the class - overall looks, PVE and a lot of PVP.Dont forget to put the music on!
Sources: Me & Youtube & Aionsource forums ~Estemy~
As you might have noticed l2-apoc.com is working on an Aion extension leading to some inevitable changes to the website and occasionally some downtime. We hope to launch the renewed frontpage in the next couple of weeks.
